How I Reclaimed My Magic

“Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else” – James M. Barrie

When I was in my final year of school, I wanted to be a newsreader.

Watching the news excited me. Telling people stories thrilled me. I loved watching the news. I was fascinated about how newsreaders got their jobs.

I ended up getting into the best course to become a newsreader but it was two hours away from my hometown.

My conservative European parents would not let me go because they felt that I was too young and inexperienced to live out of home.

So like a regular European girl who listens to their parents, I enrolled in an arts degree with the view to getting into journalism somewhere close to my hometown.

I ended up finishing the arts degree with flying colours and eventually enrolled into law after being talked out of journalism due to it being so difficult to get a job by my loved ones.

That said – I have always found it easy to get a job in law. I have always enjoyed speaking and learning. I have been employed by large law firms and global companies. I am thankful for all those opportunities.

But – over the last few months, I have realised what my true passion is.

I want to empower people for a living.

I love building people up.

I love giving random people compliments on the street.

I love mapping out people’s careers.

I love sending people cute video messages in the morning telling them how awesome they are and to have an excellent day.

So after having a bad day in my usual 9-5 yesterday, I made some flyers last night and was intent on sticking them on every noticeboard/street pole/windshield I could.

Shortly after, I received a text message from a random number which I excitedly opened only to have the following exchange of texts play out:

Random number: “Hi, thought I would inform you that I will be reporting this number to the police. Placing flyers on windshields is illegal and terrible for the environment.”

Me: “Please don’t. I am happy to remove them. I did not mean any harm.”

Random number: “Just kidding. I’m really high and thought it would be funny. Good luck with your business”.

That exchange made me feel like I was a joke for believing in my dreams and following my passions.

It made me feel like my dreams were a waste of time.

It made me believe that I was destined to have a 9-5 job that I hated – purely because it was easy and safe.

You know what I have realised since?

That that was just one person in a world of billions that will benefit from my idea.

That the world needs more people to motivate and empower its population.

That people that live their dreams have failed (like me), have felt disappointed (like me), have felt like they are going nowhere and have felt financially irresponsible. But you know what the difference is? They will not get to eighty years old and have regrets that they pursued someone else’s dream.

It is arrogant to think that you are going to breathe for a few more seconds.

You will never get this day again in your life. Live your life now. Live your dreams now.

If you need a doctor to give you a few weeks to live to make some hard decisions about your career, that is absolutely preposterous because you are powerful beyond measure.

What contribution do you want to make to the world?

What chances do you need to take?

What risks do you need to embrace?

You are strong enough.

Your dreams are possible.

Stop living the life that someone else wants you to live and start living the life you want to live.

If you don’t decide to step into your fears and say yes to your life, it will never work for you. The time for wishing has past. The time for acting on your dream is now.

The universe will make it easier.

Your life will never be the same again.

Stefanie Costi is an enthusiast and a lover of all things positive. She loves empowering people, mapping out careers, encouraging positivity, writing cover letters and assisting with resumes. Email her at stefanie.costi@gmail.com or follow her on Instagram.